B.C. university students suggest tuition cuts, question quality of online learning

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Courses at UBC and SFU will mostly be delivered online in the fall, and some students are saying tuition should be lowered to make up for the shortcomings of virtual learning.

SFU says although a few classes will be delivered in person, the majority of learning will remain remote.

“Most classes will continue to be delivered through remote methods in the fall term. This decision creates certainty for students and instructors, safety for those with higher levels of health risks, and access to learning for students who cannot travel to BC at this time,” according to the university’s website.

The president of the Simon Fraser Student Society says the quality of instruction is down, the stresses have increased, and students want a cut in tuition.

“Being in-person gives you a much better quality of education than being online ever could,” Osob Mohamed says.

“It is undeniable that the quality of education is not the same. Regardless of what administrators may think, we’re the ones sitting in on these classes. We’re the ones having internet problems making it impossible for us to submit assignments on time. Or even attend class. Or have your internet cut out during an exam.”

SFU adjunct professor Dr. Orion Kidder says one problem with online courses is how time-consuming they are to prepare, which takes time away from other aspects of teaching.

“I am having to retool everything I am doing to be appropriate to the medium. The less time I have outside of doing prep, the less time I have to talk to students. The less time I have to just sort of be present in their learning experience,” he says.

“That’s less education, less teaching that I’m able to give to students.We’re all working our butts off, we’re doing our absolute best, and there are some damned skilled teachers in our union, but of course it’s not the same.”

SFU’s administration sees things differently.

“I think it would be incorrect to suggest that because we are moving to new methods of teaching and learning that therefore the quality has necessarily gone down,” says Dr. Jonathan Driver, SFU Vice-President, Academic and Provost.

Kidder and Mohamed acknowledge the COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented emergency. However, they feel universities have the resources to soften the blow to students and faculty. It’ll just take a little teamwork.

“We would like to see the university be more willing to collaborate with us, and ensure students are treated fairly and compassionately, and making sure that they’re able to succeed in their courses,” Mohamed says.

At UBC the plan for fall is similar.

“During fall 2020, UBC will primarily offer larger classes online with selected smaller classes conducted in-person, adhering to physical distancing and other public health requirements,” according to the website.

Students have similar concerns about how their education could be compromised.

“[There are] a lot of questions of whether the quality of course content is going to be the same, about how their campus and university experience is going to be affected,” says Cole Evans, the president of the Alma Mater Society of UBC.